2026 Barbara Benson Memorial Art Scholarships Winners
TUSTIN AREA COUNCIL FOR THE FINE ARTS
2026 Barbara Benson Memorial Scholarship Student Biographies
The Barbara Benson Memorial Scholarship supports graduating seniors who will major in and seek a career in the arts. This year’s recipients are an especially talented and inspiring group of artists. 2026 judges: Karen Akashi, retired art teacher, Kim DeBenedetto, TACFA Board Member, Kira Heuer, designer and art curator, and Lori Spiak, retired art teacher.
Logan Blake
Beckman High School
Loganis an illustrator/animator and will attend San Jose State, majoring in Animation/Illustration. His mentor, Mr. Russ, taught him about creating art in deeper and more complex ways and always encouraged him while being honest.
Logan sees himself working in the Animation and Film industry, helping make movies and TV shows that will inspire people and share his ideas through his storytelling.
Aimee Ernt
Foothill High School
Aimee is a dancer who will enroll at Butler College, majoring in Dance and Art Administration. Aimee credits her mentors from Core Arts Pilates and The Premier Ballet School of OC in helping her gain strength in ballet and modern technique while being positive and motivating her to achieve even greater dreams.
Aimee’s goal is to dance professionally with Complexions Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson in New York City.
Riley Ernt
Foothill High School
Riley is a dancer who will attend Butler College majoring in Dance and Art Administration. Dancing long hours with teachers from The Premier Ballet School of OC helped her grow stronger technically and artistically. Riley wouldn’t be the dancer she is today without their guidance and dedication.
Her goal is to dance professionally with Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City and perform for audiences around the world.
Mattea Kim
Beckman High School
Mattea is a cellist who is majoring in Cello Performance at Vanderbilt University. Mattea’s mentor is Sarah Koo, her cello teacher. She says of her mentor, “Her strong values and incredible artistry have inspired me to emulate her, allowing me to grow as both an individual and musician of nuance and depth”.
Mattea’s goal is to become a teacher of cello or music history. As a performing artist, she hopes to explore interdisciplinary collaboration with artists across different mediums.
Verena Lo
Beckman High School
Verena is a cellist who will attend UCLA, majoring in Music and Psychology. Her mentor cello teacher Benjamin Lash. He challenged her to grow not only as a cellist, but also as a musician and person. Verena developed a stronger discipline to pay attention to the details of her playing and greater confidence when she performs.
Her goal is to obtain a doctorate that combines music and psychology.
Maxwell Quartly
Foothill High School
Maxwell is a classical vocalist who will attend Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music to study Opera with Peter Volpe.
In the future, Maxwell sees himself performing all over the world at A-Class opera houses, and changing the world note by note.